DRINKWINE: More fun and games with the Ostrich Society

At precisely 7:30 the gavel struck the workbench in the President’s garage, the official meeting place of the Ostrich Society. All in attendance – some in the company of bird dogs – were bright eyed and bushy tailed and despite their ages, and in some cases their infirmities, were as alert and giddy as a groom at a bachelor’s party waiting for the cake to open.

There were vises set up in front of the usual tyers and patterns were shared and discussed around the room. Bill Grish’s dog Bundy, a young Brittany, was nosing around the tables going on momentary point, staring at skins too close to the edge of the table.

The President struck the ballpeen gavel once more and called the meeting to order; telling the membership that the usual business would be dispensed with so plans could be finalized for opening day trout camps of which there were several.

Like all organizations, no matter how unified in purpose, the Ostrich Society had within its ranks “clicks” or splinter groups of members who went to the same opening day trout camp with the same people for years. One such splinter group is known as the “Shakers” who got their name because most were in their sixties and had to make several trips to the bushes throughout the night; hence the name “Shakers.”

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Another group in its infancy is the Coachmen. Comprised of about ten members of various age, they, unlike the “Shakers” who camp along a secret trout stream, decided at the outset to spend the week in relative comfort by renting a cabin with heat, running water and indoor toilet facilities.

Then there are the founders of the Society who have no usual place they go, rather research the fishing opportunities throughout the state year by year. This year they elected to hit the Jordan and camp at a walk-in campground deep into the upper stretches of the river.

Jake was swatting at Bundy as he tried to pull a pheasant skin from the edge of the table telling Bill he might want to make Bundy mind before he ate one of the skins and left piles of feathers all over his yard. Al chimed in, saying, “Yea, he could squat and point at the same time, keeping both ends busy. What a dog.”

Eventually the different factions huddled after refilling their glasses with two fingers of bourbon, to go over their choice of flies for opening morning, though knowing that this early in the year; fishing wouldn’t be worthwhile until late morning or early afternoon.

Hank Sellers took a sip of his two fingers and to share what he called a “find” at a local restaurant he and the wife were at several nights ago. He said found what was billed as sweet potato infused bourbon that was made by putting sweet potatoes in a jar filled with bourbon (cheap bourbon would do) and letting in sit for a few weeks, then drain the liquid, ad cinnamon, ice and some kind of bitters. Ambrosia.

Attention turned to Bill trying to pull a skin out of Bundy’s mouth which got the attention of a couple other dogs, some wanting to get into the action. Bill finally won the tug-of-war with Bundy who went about finding his next reason to go on point.

Hank continued by reiterating how good the concoction was, despite the initial pause he had when he heard about the sweet potato part.

The tying stopped as the sweet potato infused bourbon got the other’s attention. Soon it dominated the room.

Oleg, the official bartender of the Ostrich Society, said he wasn’t going to do anything with bourbon other than pour it two fingers at a time. That produced laughter and heads nodding in agreement.

After getting Bundy under control, Bill said infused bourbon was a good idea. He said he credits his wife because she persuaded him to finally get a physical from Doc Braily who examined him from head to toe. After taking enough blood to make blood sausage, Doc told him that he needs cut down on red meat and eat more vegetables. When his wife heard what Doc Braily said, she cleaned out the freezer and gave away all sorts of meat. When he objected she told him he was going to become a vegetarian whether he liked it or not.

Hoots and jeers came from every table sending Bundy back on his search for feathers.

Bill continued that if you can infuse bourbon with sweet potatoes, there was no reason not to try it with turnips and said, “Being a vegetarian might have its good points.”

Even the “Shakers” thought it had merit.

The preceding is reported as “THE TRUTH, WHOLE TRUTH AND NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH …..give or take a lie or two.”